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Echo and the Bunnymen playing on the main stage at Sportbeat Music Festival at Plock Court, Gloucester. Lead singer Ian McCulloch picture by Mikal Ludlow news 21-8-16

Mr Gooding wrote: ”In the last year, our family has experienced loss like we’ve never before experienced. My nan, my uncle and my dad, very recently. The latter two hugely involved with the running of the festival, their passion and support irreplaceable. This amount of loss has hit my family hard. I’ve tried to write this message before, but struggled to find the words.

“We were trying to make it happen but it’s hard to even start. It's a shame as we had a company that wanted to invest in it to take it to the next level. We will pick up discussions in a few months about future festivals.

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“The saving grace in these hardest of times has been our beautiful new-born son. He gives us hope in these tough times.

“To be as clear as possible, in the hope that you, the amazing supporters of Gloucestershire and beyond will understand – there will not be a SportBeat Festival this summer. We need time as a family to mourn.”

Mr Gooding said it is “very likely” that Sportbeat will return next year and a statement on the future of the festival will be made “as soon as we are able.”

The statement continued: “All ticket holders will be contacted and we will be refunding all the people that bought early bird tickets for this year. If you have not received an email 5pm on Wednesday please contact us by emailing info@sportbestfest.com.

“We would never take your incredible support for granted, and want to ensure everybody that has bought tickets is spoken to, but please forgive us if we’ve missed anybody. We’re going through all records to be as thorough as possible.”

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“With regards to a return 2018, it is very likely, but feels like a lifetime away given what’s just happened in less than a year. Of course, we will make a statement on it as soon as we are able.”

Sportbeat has been held at Plock Court since 2013 and has become an important part of Gloucester’s cultural calendar.

The festival has hosted big-name acts such as Razorlight, Happy Mondays, Echo and the Bunnymen, De La Soul and Jaguar Skills.

Mr Gooding wrote: “SportBeat is, and has always been, a family-run event. We’re big thinkers, and have, every year since 2013, wanted to create something Gloucestershire could be proud to have on its doorstep.

“We’ve been flattered to hear people thought there was a big machine behind it – there isn’t – there’s just a small team of family members and friends, who’ve all graciously given their time to creating the best festival possible. We all work full-time jobs, or have other businesses to take care of throughout the rest of the year.”